For many players Razer is synonymous with build quality and the Thresher Tournament Editions are no exception: metal headband, large circular memory foam pavilions covered in soft leatherette, impeccable stitching, fabric cable and 50 mm speakers are the frame of a lightweight headset, beautiful to look at, gratifying to hold and wear precisely for the quality of the materials used. In any case, it is a mid-range product, therefore devoid of any technical artifice such as Dolby Surround or directional audio, but in the catalog of the company founded by Min-Liang Tan and Robert Krakoff it finds its precise location.
Over the past few months, I have had the chance to test other headsets made for gamers such as the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 with 7.1 surround sound, dedicated software and dongle for connecting to the optical output, the Recon Camo wired with a giraffe microphone and the Sound Blaster Sigma Tactic3D equipped with proprietary technology for the reproduction of three-dimensional audio and the equalization. I confess that prior to this trial period I never realized how different each headset was from the other; now, however, that I'm lucky enough to be able to choose, I'm careful to wear the most suitable headphones for the occasion, be it playing games, watching a movie, having a meeting via Hangouts or listening to music while traveling.
The Razer Thresher Tournament Editions are so comfortable you forget you have themFrom this point of view, the Tournament Editions represent the most comfortable I have tried so far, with only 360 grams of weight and an anchoring system that never tightens on the temples you forget you have them, also thanks to the very soft memory foam pavilions that wrap the ears adapting to the temporal band without pressing. Although absent any Active Noise Control system, the Razer Thresher isolate external noise with undisputed effectiveness, once again thanks to the 3 cm thick pads and finished with a high quality imitation leather.
The microphone is unidirectional and retractable, while the controller is placed on the cable covered in synthetic fabric to silence the chat and manage the volume of the incoming audio. The 3,5 mm jack guarantees the universality of the connections although a length of only 1,3 meters prevents it from being used on devices such as the TV, usually located at a much greater distance.. As I wrote at the beginning, the lack of support for multidirectional surround sound is justified by the use for which these headphones were designed, i.e. intense multiplayer sessions or listening on the move via smartphone.
The Razer Thresher TE are a perfect compendium for those looking for a lightweight headsetAt the output level, it is right to point out a preponderance of highs, crisp and crystalline, at the expense of the decidedly subdued bass and not comparable to those of the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 which excel in the latter aspect. The real drawback of the Razer Thresher Tournament Edition is the price of 110 euros, really challenging considering the competitors, although in terms of materials, manufacturing, packaging and comfort they do not fear comparisons with high-end headsets. In summary, they may not be the first choice of a hardcore gamer attentive to special effects and the three-dimensionality of sound, but they are a perfect compendium for those looking for a second pair of lightweight headphones to use while traveling.
USEFUL INFOSpecifications: compatible with all peripherals, memory foam and leatherette cushions, 50 mm speakers, stereo audio, in-line control for audio input and chat mute, speaker frequency response: 12 - 28,000 Hz, speaker impedance: 32Ω a 1kHz, 3,5mm jack, cable length: 1,3m, unidirectional retractable microphone, frequency response microphone: 100 - 10,000Hz, sensitivity: (@ 1kHz, 1V / Pa): -38 ± 3dB, signal-to-ratio to-noise:> 55 dB, dimensions: 196 mm x 214 mm x 104.8mm.
Hardware by Roberto Turrini
